Strange Noise Rolling forward in Neutral

[scrichton]

I have been noticing an increasingly noisy knocking type of sound when I've been riding. Then last night swapping the front brake disc (replacing a warped on arrival Kagazumi) I noticed a Clunking, Clicking noise coming from around the clutch housing / sprocket cover.

The chain is ok adjustment wise ( I did the SV conversion and have learnt how to do this with my eyes closed now) The chain was cleaned, run for 10 miles ( WD40 ) then dried and lube applied.

I have also noticed that this noise has also gone along with a bad ability to downshift when the bike is warmed up.

As you can imagine I'm worried to say the least and this being my first foray into motorcycle ownership it scares me a little as this kind of noise seems too much like a gear thing.

btw .. nice to meet you all.

Steven

[Bluesmudge]

Have you either done an oil change recently, or not in a long time?

What type of oil are you running?

How many miles on the bike?

[scrichton]

oil change 2 weeks ago with castrol power 2T 10/40W.

33000 miles on the bike, 2 of which have been since passing my bike test.

Could it be that the oil is the issue?

[mister]

Isn't that two stroke oil?

GS500 needs four stroke oil.

Michael

[iclrag]

i think it's the oil, i thought that was bad for bikes? try a nice synthetic oil (honestly i'd buy the best top of the line oil that i found, after all, theres only so much a bike can take)

[scrichton]

sorry i meant

Castrol Power 1 4T 10W40 Part Synthetic Motorcycle Engine Oil

(copied from the invoice )

[adidasguy]

#5139

It could be the chain. You did clean it, run with it cleaned but not oiled, then oiled it.

Put bike on center stand in neutral.
Rotate rear wheel and listen for noise. Look at the chain for any kinks.
If you hear any noise or grinding, mark a link on the chain. See if the noise is the same with each rotation of the chain. If so, it is a bad chain.

Chains can have the o-rings swell up resulting in stuck links. They will make a grinding noise as they go over the front sprocket.

The only solution is a new chain.

Been there - had it happen to a chain that was nit oiled by the previous owner. I oiled it and next day things swelled up where some links could not be moved even with pliers.

[scrichton]

having done the sv650 shock the centre stand is a little too short! I'll have to get a friend to walk the bike as I check.

If it is that I take it D.I.D chain and sprocket sets are ok? No bad news from anyone?

Also the front sprocket ... does it require the clutch cable to be removed to get the casing off?

[DoD#i]

IIRC I'm running DID x-ring chain and like it fine.

No need to remove the clutch cable - the cover plate will hang by it just fine, and the mechanism does not require unhooking anything to get the cover off. If you don't want the cover hanging you can loosen the cable and remove it.

You do need to completely remove (not just loosen) the 10mm bolt in the gear shift to pull the gear shift off (there's a groove, so it won't pull if only loose) and keep track of which 8mm-head bolts go in which holes. If this is your first time in, you might also need a barf bag when you get the cover off (it's often dis-gust-ting under there.)

[adidasguy]

#5140

Put a piece of wood under the center stand. Problem solved!

[scrichton]

I've been going with an axle stand on either side of the frame most of the time. Also all the work is on street so I don't fancy my chances with passing vehicles and a bike placed precariously on a bit of wood.

I know it's maybe a bit against the whole forum ethos, but do you think it's worth taking it into a garage to get a mechanic to look at it? It's due a service now so they may have some insight. As long as it's not Ferrari hourly rates I could stomach the cost if it means I'm less likely to get dead 

[mister]

My bike is lovingly maintained by my obsessive compulsive german mechanic. I ride with him too.

[adidasguy]

#5142

I doubt you'll have the bike fall off of a 1 foot square piece pf plywood or any other large sized board. I wasn't meaning to use a piece of 1"x2". Can't fall off of a piece of 1x6. The center stand on a high point n the street or the rear wheel over a pot hole would work, too.

If due for service, its your call if you want them to check the chain.
If your chain is the OEM chain, you remove it by cutting it off. It doesn't have a master link. Any new chain you put on should be done with wither a master link or a riveted link. Then it will be easier to remove in another 20k miles (or whenever it wears out).

You probably won't need to change the sprockets if it is the o-rings on the chain that swelled up. Check them for wear anyway. It is advisable to always change the sprockets when you change the chain. (At least the front one as it gets the most wear). The front is easy to change. Rear requires removing the wheel. No need to remove wheel just to change the chain.

A thing to remember is when in neutral, the gears are not engaged. Doubtful the noise in neutral is the gears. Most likely the chain. Second might be a bad front sprocket. Third might be wheel bearings - but you said the noise is from the front sprocket area so I still vote for kinked chain.

[Bluesmudge]

I have also noticed that this noise has also gone along with a bad ability to downshift when the bike is warmed up.

Sometimes problems show up together but are not related. This could be clutch related. Check your clutch cable. Also take the front sprocket off and make sure there is no gunk gumming up the mechanics of the clutch actuation.

With 33,000 miles on the bike just about anything could go wrong. Do you know how many miles are on the chain? Its possible the previous owner used a non-oring type. You might as well replace it with a nice O-ring chain and shiny new sprockets for peace of mind and see if the noise goes away.

[scrichton]

Well bike has been in.

Clutch and Choke cable were in the wrong place. Back brake caliper is needing rebuilt and they reckon the front sprocket is the cause of the sound.

The mechanic also noted the SV shock and how that may be the issue with the increased angles, so I'm tempted just to put the old one back in. Judging by how square my tyre was at the back (illegal) I'm still not leaning all too much, so handling advantages are negated almost. Unless there is someone in Scotland who has an alternative up for grabs with less of a jack up.

Overall though the dealer seemed to imply the bike was pretty good. for the age and mileage. Shims needed done and the choke only worked on one side too.

Ordered sprockets and chain.

So moral of the tale is that I can totally recommend Carrick of Edinburgh for an honest opinion when it comes to the bike if I need it.

Steven